Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Siakam scores season-high 36 points as Pacers beat struggling Bulls 120-105

Siakam scores season-high 36 points as Pacers beat struggling Bulls 120-105 | iNFOnews.ca
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) handles the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

CHICAGO (AP) — Pascal Siakam scored a season-high 36 points, Bennedict Mathurin added 28 and the Indiana Pacers beat the struggling Chicago Bulls 120-105 on Friday night.

The Pacers improved to 5-18, looking more like the team that advanced to the NBA Finals last season than the injury-ravaged crew that began the night with the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference. They went on a big run early in the third quarter and withstood a big push by Chicago in picking up their first win in 11 road games this season.

Siakam heated up after a scoreless first quarter. The three-time All-Star made five 3-pointers and grabbed nine rebounds. Mathurin hit six 3s.

Andrew Nembhard added 15 points and seven assists. Jay Huff had five blocks, helping the Pacers beat Chicago for the second time in seven days. They won 103-101 in Indianapolis on Saturday, when Siakam sank a 14-foot jumper with a second left.

The Bulls (9-13) lost their season-high sixth straight. They are 3-12 after winning six of their first seven games.

Coby White scored 22 after sitting out the previous three games because of a strained left calf. Matas Buzelis had 19 points and 12 rebounds. But the Bulls committed 19 turnovers.

Siakam scored 14 points in the second quarter as the Pacers grabbed a 62-57 halftime lead. He keyed a 20-6 run to start the third, scoring nine points.

Up next

Pacers: Host Sacramento on Monday night.

Bulls: Host Golden State on Sunday night. ___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Siakam scores season-high 36 points as Pacers beat struggling Bulls 120-105 | iNFOnews.ca
Chicago Bulls forward Zach Collins (12) sinks a three-point shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Siakam scores season-high 36 points as Pacers beat struggling Bulls 120-105 | iNFOnews.ca
Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle yells to his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Siakam scores season-high 36 points as Pacers beat struggling Bulls 120-105 | iNFOnews.ca
Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan yells to his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Siakam scores season-high 36 points as Pacers beat struggling Bulls 120-105 | iNFOnews.ca
Indiana Pacers center Jay Huff (32), right, defends Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles